Geoportal Help

You have been temporarily re-directed from the Help link on GeoPortal.ie website to this information page on the Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) website. The Help page on GeoPortal.ie website will be available soon.

GeoPortal.ie FAQ

Q1.1 What is GeoPortal.ie?

GeoPortal.ie is the Republic of Ireland’s portal for Geographic Information. This portal has been developed by Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (DHPCLG) and Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) with guidance and oversight from Irish public bodies on the Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure (ISDI) project steering committee.

GeoPortal.ie has been designed to comply with the EU INSPIRE Directive and to promote the sharing and effective use of Geographic Information and Geographic Information Systems in line with actions in the Irish eGovernment Strategy (2012-2015).

Q1.2 What can I do on GeoPortal.ie?

You can search, view, and download datasets supplied by various organisations on GeoPortal.ie. The datasets held on GeoPortal.ie includes INSPIRE and non-INSPIRE compliant datasets.

All users of GeoPortal.ie can:

Search and browse datasets available on GeoPortal.ie;

View metadata information about each dataset;

View spatial datasets that are not protected with restricted licences using the Map Viewer.

The above functions can be carried out without registering on GeoPortal.ie; however, additional functions are available for registered users.

Registered users of GeoPortal.ie can:

Request to view available spatial datasets that are protected with restricted licences

Once your registration is successful, you can search, view, and download available datasets on GeoPortal.ie. Access is dependent upon the terms and conditions within the licence and is not automatic. Some datasets have restricted accessibility. To contact the Support Team use the Feedback form available on GeoPortal.ie. Fill in your name and email address in the relevant boxes; in the comments box, state your username and which datasets you require access to. If you require access to restricted licensed datasets then you need to contact the GeoPortal Support Team who will verify your request and move your account into the relevant user group, if appropriate. You will be notified by email once this process is complete, or if you are prevented from accessing the dataset due to the terms and conditions within the licence.

Using GeoPortal.ie

Q2.1 How do I search for a dataset?

Data can be accessed by conducting a keyword search in either the Find Data box on the homepage or by using the Search tab. For example, searching for land parcels, administrative boundaries etc. will bring up relevant datasets.

In the search results on the right-hand side of the screen, click on the name of the required service and in the expanded tab choose Add To Map.

Q2.2 How can I gain access to a particular dataset?

Once you have registered on GeoPortal.ie you have access to both the Map Viewer and the datasets, although you may need to conclude a licence to see some specific data. Data can be accessed by conducting a keyword search in either the Find Data box on the homepage or by using the Search tab. For example, searching for land parcels, administrative boundaries etc, will bring up relevant datasets. Select the required service and select Add To Map in order to automatically bring up the Map Viewer and add the selected dataset to the map.

Please note that view ranges may be applied to some datasets and will only be visible when zoomed in to the appropriate scale. Please refer to themetadata for that scale at which this data will become visible.

Q2.3 How can I view all the datasets that are available on GeoPortal.ie?

You can view a list of all the datasets that are available on GeoPortal.ie by leaving the keyword search field blank and then clicking on the Searchbutton. This will return a list of all datasets on the right-hand side of the screen

Q2.4 A dataset I require is not available on GeoPortal.ie, what do I do?

If there is a particular dataset you require and it is not available, please contact the data owner and ask them to contact GeoPortal.ie with regards to publishing the data. There may be a particular reason why it is not already hosted on GeoPortal.ie, or simply the data owner may not be aware of GeoPortal.ie

Q2.5 I have a query relating to information in a dataset, who do I contact?

Contact information is listed in the metadata of each available dataset.

Q2.6 How can I locate an address?

Once you have opened the Map Viewer and you would like to zoom to a specific address, you can do this using the Locate icon along the top of the viewer window. Once opened, input the address information and clickLocate.

Q2.7 What is the scale of my current map view?

A sliding scale bar is available in the navigational tool in the top left-hand side of the Map Viewer. Click on the small circle in the middle of the scale bar to show the current scale.

Q2.8 Is there a measurement tool available on GeoPortal.ie?

The measurement tool is available in the Draw and Measure icon along the top of the Map Viewer. This tool allows you to measure distance and area.

Q2.10 My Map Viewer is not loading and I have received an error message regarding Adobe Flash Player, what do I do?

Please ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 9.0.124 or greater is installed. Updates are available on the Adobe website.

Q2.11 How do I print maps on GeoPortal.ie?

You can print the current view of your GeoPortal.ie Map Viewer using thePrint icon along the top of the Map Viewer window. You can add a title and a sub-title to your print document.

Q2.12 Can I print maps to scale?

The print function on GeoPortal.ie does not currently print to scale. This function will be available in a future release.

Web Services

Q3.1 What is a Web Mapping Service (WMS)?

A Web Map Service (WMS) provides georeferenced map images over the internet. The map images are configured for rendering on a computer screen and exist in formats such as PNG, GIF or JPEG. It is possible to display, navigate, zoom in and out, pan, and overlay the map image. As the service provides an image of the map it is not possible to edit either the map itself or the data it contains.

Q3.2 What is an INSPIRE View Service?

An INSPIRE View Service enable users to display, navigate, zoom in and out, pan, and overlay viewable spatial datasets and also to display any relevant content of metadata. An Inspire View Service has similar capabilities to a WMS with the main difference being that the base specification is defined with respect to the requirements of the INSPIRE Directive and the Implementing Rules for View Services.

An INSPIRE Download Service provides a compressed folder for downloading whole or part datasets in compliance with INSPIRE. The spatial information can then be imported into the user’s own GIS in order to carry out analysis. Layer files are provided in the compressed folder for the retention of original symbology.

Q3.4 What is a Web Feature Service (WFS)?

A Web Feature Service (WFS) provides geospatial data over the internet. Unlike a WMS, a WFS can be edited as if the data were on the user’s own computer or network.

Q3.5 What is an INSPIRE Discovery Service?

An INSPIRE Discovery Service is a searchable catalogue that allows users to identify what spatial datasets are available.

A Map Service makes maps, feature data, and attribute data available inside many types of client applications. ESRI provides .NET, Java, SOAP, and REST interfaces for working with map services. A REST Map Service differs from a WMS as it has intelligence: it can display legend items and it can be queried by attribute and location etc.

Licensing

Q4.1 Do all datasets require a licence to view/download?

Most datasets can be accessed simply by registering on GeoPortal.ie. There is a limited number of datasets that require a click to accept licence. Other datasets are subject to particular licence agreements which restrict access to certain users. Please ensure to check the metadata for reference to licence terms & conditions.

If you require access to restricted licensed datasets then you need to contact the GeoPortal.ie Support Team. Access is dependent upon the terms and conditions within the licence and is not automatic. Some datasets have restricted accessibility.

To contact the Support Team use the Feedback form available on GeoPortal.ie. Fill in your name and email address in the relevant boxes; in the comments box, state your username and which datasets you require access to.

The GeoPortal.ie Support Team will verify your request and move your account into the relevant user group, if appropriate. You will be notified by email once this process is complete, or if you are prevented from accessing the dataset due to the terms and conditions within the licence.

Q4.2 Why do I need to accept the licence every time I access a licensed dataset?

You need to accept the Terms of Use each time you access the dataset, it is important to note the Terms of Use can change over time. This is a reminder of the terms and conditions for accessing this licensed data.

Q4.3 I have concluded a licence to access datasets, why can’t I see the data on the map?

If a new map window does not open or you cannot see the requested data once you have concluded a licence, it may be due to various issues:

You need to delete your browser history;

The pop-up blocker may be turned on. Please ensure your pop-up blocker is disabled for GeoPortal.ie;

Display issues in different internet browsers. To get the best results when viewing GeoPortal.ie, we recommend you use one of the following browsers: Internet Explorer (IE) 8 or 9, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. Please ensure Compatibility View is enabled (IE only);

Issues with your version of Adobe Flash Player. Please ensure that the latest version of Adobe Flash Player (version 9.0.124 or greater) is installed.

The GeoPortal.ie website is a shared government resource that provides access to a network of spatial data from a wide variety of Irish public bodies and organisations for download and viewing. It has been created as part of the Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure (ISDI) project and is designed to facilitate the on-line sharing of spatial data according to the requirements of the Irish eGovernment Strategy and the EU INSPIRE Directive.